Preventing Excessive Alcohol Use: Maintaining Limits on Days of Sale

Limiting the days when alcohol can be sold is intended to prevent excessive alcohol consumption and related harms by regulating access to alcohol. Most policies limiting days of sale target weekend days (usually Sundays). They may apply to alcohol outlets in which alcohol may be legally sold for the buyer to drink at the place of purchase (on-premises outlets) or elsewhere (off-premises outlets). In the United States, policies may be made at the state level and, where not prohibited by state pre-emption laws, at local levels.

In the United States in 2008:

• Sixteen states had a ban on Sunday alcohol sales for off-premises consumption.
• Seventeen states and the District of Columbia allowed Sunday sales, but had restrictions (e.g., in hours or types of alcohol allowed for sale).
• Seventeen states allowed unrestricted Sunday sales.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Task Force Recommendations & Findings

On the basis of strong evidence, the Task Force on Community Preventive Services  recommends maintaining existing limits on the days on which alcoholic beverages are sold, as one strategy for the prevention of excessive alcohol consumption and related harms. Evidence for this recommendation is based on studies assessing the effects of repealing limits on sales of alcoholic beverages on weekend days. Only two studies evaluated the imposition of new limits on days of sale, limiting the ability to determine the effects of such new limits. 

Results from the Systematic Reviews

All of the studies that considered the effects of changing days of sale on excessive alcohol consumption looked at limits on weekend days.

Removing limits on days of sale in off-premises settings (e.g., grocery, convenience or liquor stores)

Four studies qualified for the review.

• Studies were conducted in Sweden, New Mexico, and multiple United States states.
• A two-phase repeal of a Saturday ban was associated with a small increase in consumption, limited effects on injuries, and an increase in alcohol-impaired driving, some of which may have been due to increased surveillance (Sweden).
• A 1995 repeal of a ban on Sunday sales was associated with a 30% increase in motor vehicle fatalities on Sundays compared with other days of the week (New Mexico).
• A study of the effects of increased days of sale in multiple United States states indicated increases in the per capita consumption of spirits and beer.

Removing limits on days of sale in on-premises settings (e.g., restaurants, bars, ballparks)

Six studies qualified for the review.

• Studies were conducted in Australia, Scotland, and the United States.
• One study found small increases in individual levels of consumption associated with new Sunday sales (Scotland).
• Five studies found substantial increases in motor vehicle-related harms (fatal and non fatal crashes and alcohol-impaired driving arrests) associated with policies allowing new days of sale in several settings (Australia and the United States).

Imposing limits on days of sale for off-premises settings (e.g., grocery, convenience or liquor stores)

Two studies qualified for the review.

• Studies were conducted in Sweden and New Mexico.
• An experimental Saturday ban in 1981 was associated with declines in alcohol-related violence and other disturbances (Sweden).
• Local repeal of a state-wide allowance of Sunday sales was associated with relative declines in motor vehicle fatalities (New Mexico).

These results were based on a systematic review of all available studies, conducted on behalf of the Task Force by a team of specialists in systematic review methods, and in research, practice and policy related to excessive alcohol use.

Supporting Materials

• Analytic frameworks
• Economic efficiency
• Research gaps
• Summary evidence table
• Search strategy

Publications

More Community Guide publications about Preventing Excessive Alcohol Use

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Disclaimer

The findings and conclusions in this page are those of the authors and the Task Force on Community Preventive Services and do not necessarily represent the official position of CDC.

Sample Citation

The content of publications of the Guide to Community Preventive Services is in the public domain. Citation as to source, however, is appreciated. Sample citation: Guide to Community Preventive Services. Preventing excessive alcohol use: Maintaining limits on days of sale. www.thecommunityguide.org/alcohol/limitingsale.html. Last updated: MM/DD/YYYY.

Review completed: June 2008